Mu Space and Advanced Technology Co., Ltd., operating under the name mu Space Corp, is a company in Thailand that provides satellite-enabled broadband and mobile connectivity. It was founded by James Yenbamroong in 2017 in Bangkok, Thailand, with the goal to research and develop space technology and applications for use in urban and rural areas. Initially focused on the implementation of a nationwide broadband project using satellite technology, Mu Space in 2018 started doing activities and research of technology related to space. In July 2018, the company sent micro-gravity experiments into space aboard the New Shepard rocket of Blue Origin, and in September 2018, it released a 3D image of their own spacesuit version for use by astronauts and space tourists. In April 2019, mu Space submitted a proposal to a NASA project to build a lunar landing system. The company has satellite launch contracts with Blue Origin, using the New Glenn rocket, and with Relativity Space using Terran 1, the world's first 3D-printed rocket.
History
Mu Space founder James Yenbamroong had been interested in space from an early age. He studied aerospace and mechanical engineering degrees at University of California, Los Angeles, and learned about satellite systems while working with Northrop Grumman on unmanned vehicle systems. Yenbamroong then went back to Thailand after years of living in the US and founded Mu Space in June 2017. The company is based in Bangkok and had 30 staff. The company started with a registered capital of US$3 million. In December 2017, Thailand's National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission granted Mu Space a 15-year license to provide satellite services in the country.
Technology projects
Satellite
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Communication had awarded Mu Space a license until 2032 to operate a satellite and provide services in Thailand. In October 2017, the company signed a contract to lease a satellite ground system or teleport of CAT Telecom. Mu Space is temporarily using the satellites of another company SES to provide broadband services in Thailand, pending the development of the company's own satellite in 2021. mu Space's satellite will be worth up to US$150 million and have a lifespan of up to 15 years. It will use the 50.5 degree East orbital slot to provide coverage over Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Vietnam and Thailand. Mu Space has satellite launch contracts with Blue Origin, using the New Glenn rocket, and with Relativity Space, using the 3-D printed Terran 1 rocket.
Smart City
Mu Space partners with tech company Qualcomm to deploy smart city applications and services in Thailand. In Thailand, smart city is part of the government's Thailand 4.0 initiative. The first pilot project on smart city was initiated in Phuket in 2016, where the public sector allocated US$11 million to develop the city's digital economy and transform it into an international tourism hub. This was followed by Chiang Mai with an initial US$1 million fund to implement smart agriculture, and Khon Kaen with over US$400,000 to focus on becoming a medical, transportation and exhibition hub.
Mu Space has started developing a smart apparel that can be worn and record health data for use in medical diagnosis. Product tests will be carried out at the IoT Institute in Thailand Digital Park, scheduled to be completed in 2020. Mu Space is also operating a lab at True Digital Park in Bangkok, Thailand to research and showcase their products to the public.
Space tourism
In 2021, the company plans to offer space tourism service to customers in Asia-Pacific. Mu Space in September 2018 revealed the 3D image of spacesuit their customers will be wearing during spaceflight. As part of the company's space program, in July 2018, Mu Space sent experimental payload into space aboard Blue Origin's New Shepherd space rocket to test how materials react in micro-gravity environment. The payload included a silicon bleeding-prevention device used in hospitals, a carbon nanotube and a vacuum-sealed food product.
Mu Space assembled a team of engineers to help in the rescue mission to save the 12 boys and their football coach trapped inside Tham Luang cave in Thailand. The company collaborated with Google and Weather Decision Technologies to provide the rescuers with weather forecast models. The Boring Company founder Elon Musk also offered his help and discussed his rescue plan via Twitter with Mu Space founder James Yenbamroong. Musk then flew to Thailand with his private jet to deliver the "kid-sized" submarines his engineers developed for the rescue mission. Thai authorities however decided not to use the submarines.
